Valve



R. H. LOWNDES.

VALVE. Y APPLICATION FILED JULYB, 192|.

1 ,435,537. Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEE'I 3.

L ouv/2%;

S1513 mc h M l R. H. LOWNDES.

VALVE.

APPucATloNF|LED1uLY18.192|.

1,435,537 Patented Nov, 14, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHE 4.

Patented Nov. 14,l 1922.

UNITED STATESy 1,435,531 PATENT. OFFICE.

RICHARD H. LOWNDES, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA," ASSIGNOR TO MOTOR PARTS CORPO,-

. BATION, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, A CORPORATION OF GEORGIA.

VALVE.

Appucmon med July 1s,

To all whom it 71mg/ concern.'

Be it known that I, lRICHARD H. LowNDns, a citizen of the United States, residin at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton/and tate 6 of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves, of' which the followingr is a specification.

This invention relates to valves for fluid pressure systems, and more particularly to control mechanism whereby a predetermined pressure may be admitted to apressure operated apparatus and the valve automatically closed to retain the desired pressure.

It is 'an object of the present'invention to provide a pressure control apparatus including a valve, .and actuating mechanism therefor, whereby a desired pressure may be obtained and the valve automatically closed.

When the valve has been opened to permit passage of fluid into the apparatus,l the valve operating mechanism may be returned to neutral position, and the pressure re-,

tained in the apparatus for an indefinite time. lVhen the pressure is to be released, the valve actuating mechanism is moved in the opposite direction to open an exhaust valve and permit escape of fluid.

A valve stem is provided with ay diaphragm or other flexible member, andV when the valve actuating mechanism is arranged in position to supply a desired pressure to the valve stem, the valve is opened' and the pressure in the ap aratus is transmitted to the diaphragm, hen the pressure in the apparatus reaches the predetermined limit, theV diaphragm is capable of moving the valve against the valve operating mechanism to closed position.

The valve actuatingT mechanlsm comprises a pivoted link having the valve stem connected thereto adjacent the pivot and being connected to a control lever. lever operates on-a quadrant and applies a force to the outer end of the link to move it downwardly on its pivot and thus unseat the valve. The moment applied to the link is directly proportional to the chord of the arc described by the control lever, and the parts are so roportioned that the pressure on the diaphragm is capable of closing the valve with the control lever in said position. v

` In illustrating thel invent-ion, I have shown the control mechanism or valve ap1 The control\ 1921. Serial No'. 485,519.

plied to an air brake system lor` motor vehicles, but the invention is in no sense reated by compressed air or other fluid under pressure. n

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

d.fFigure 1 is a plan view of the chassis of a motor vehicle showing theinvention applied, n

- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the valve in closed position, v

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the valve in open position,

Figure lis a plan view of the valve,

Figure 5 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 6 is a detail View of the exhaust valve lever, and, 1

Figure 7 is a detail View of a portion of the control lever.

,Referring'to the drawings, `the reference numeral 1 designates the frame of a motor vehicle provided with the rear'axle 2, and a front axle 3. The usual traction wheels 4 are mounted on the axles and brake bands 5 are arranged on the rear axle adapted to cooperate with the rear wheels. The vehicle is provided with an internal combustion engine `6, or other source of power, adapted to supply fluid under pressure to a tank 7.

As shown, Lthe tank is connected to the engine by means-of a pipe 8 and a pressure gauge 9 may be arranged inthis pipe. The tank is provided with lan outlet pipe 10, communicating with the control valve 11. A pipe 12 leads from the valve 'to a brake cylinder 13. A piston is mounted within thel brake cylinder and is provided with a piston rod 14, connected in any suitable manner to the brakes to apply the brakes when fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake cylinder. As shown, a transverse rod or shaft 15 is connected to the piston rod by means of a link 16 and a crank or arm 17. The link is pivotally supported on a. bracket 18,', carried by the frame. The ends of the shaft 15 are provided with cranks 19 to which the valve o )erating rods 20 are secured. As the particular brake construction frames' no part of the invention, a detail description 'there-ot is deemed unnecessary.

rll`he control valve comprises a base plate or support 21 which is preferably secured to a part of the frame of the vehicle or ,to the base of the engine. A valvecharnber 22 is arranged'on the base plate, the valve chamber being secured thereto in any suit able manner, or being cast integral therewith. rlhe inlet' pipe l0 is connected to the inlet. opening 23 of the valve chamber and the pipe l2 is connected to the outlet opening 24. rThe inner end of the inlet pipe is closed, as at 25, and the pipe is provided with a pair of openings 26 'and 27, arranged in vertical alignment with each other. valve n stem 28 is arranged within ,the valve chamber and is provided with a pair of balanced valves 29 and 30, adapted 'tolseat on valve seats formed in the openings 26 and 27 respectively. ln place of a double balanced valve, 29 and 30, applicable to heavy units, a single valve may be used in small units. The lower part of the valve chamber 3l com` municates with, the outlet 24 by meansl of a passage 32. A pressure chamber 33 is arranged in the upper part of the valve chamber and .communicates with the outlet by means' of a passage 34. rlhe chamber 3l is closed by a threa ed plug 35, and this plug may be provided with a threaded opening for the reception of a pet cock 36, to permit accumulatedv moisture or oil to be drained from the valve chamber. y

The outlet 24 is provided' with a pair of openings arranged in alignment with each other, the lower opening being closd by a threaded plug 37, and the upper opening being normally closed by a valve 38 mounted on. a valve stem 39. The valve stem is normally retained in closed position by means of a coil spring 40, arranged between a cup 4l, surrounding the valve stem and a portion of the supporting mechanism. A pin 4l retains` the oup- 41 and spring 40 in tion. v t

The main valve stem 28 is provided with an enlargement 42, adapted to form a seat for a disk 43, made of metal or other suitable material. A diaphragm 44 is arranged above the disk and a second disk 45 is placed over the diaphragm. A nut 46 is mounted posion the stem and is' adapted to hold thev disks and diaphragm in position. The outer edge of the diaphragm is retained in position by means of a ring 47 and lock nut 48, which latter is adapted to engage threads formed inthe `upper portion of the valve chamber. A lock nut 46 is arranged on the valve sternl above'the nut 46.

The lock nut 46 is provided with a socket. at its upper end for the reception of the ball 49, 'carried by a valve stem or rod 50.

yThe valvev stem is received within a sleeve 5l, the parts being arranged to permit slight.`

vertical movement of the stem within the sleeve. T he position of the sleeve with respect to the stem may be adjusted by means ot nut 52 and locking nut 53 arranged on the valve stem.

rl`he means for opening the balanced valves 29 and 30 consists of a main double Float link 54 pivotally supported in brackets 55 as at 56. The sleeve 51 is pivotally secured to the link as at 57. The outer end of the link is provided with a pivot pin 58 to which a control lever 59 is secured. A link 60 1s also secured to the main link by means of the pin 58 and extends downwardly, the lower portion thereof being providedwith an elongated slot 61,' adapted to receive a pin 62, carried by a pair of ears 63, mounted on the base plate.

The cont-rol lever is provided with an offset end 64 having a cup 65 Jformed thereon. A rod or bolt 66 is arranged in the center of the cup, and extends at substantially right angles to the plane of the cup. A sleeve 67 surrounds this rod, the sleeve being providedl with a cup 68, at its outer end, adapted to cooperate with the cup -l65 to re ceive a coil spring 69 surrounding the rod 66 and the sleeve 67. Y

rllhe sleeve is extended to form a handle 7 0, being slotted for the reception of a quadrant 7l. As shown, the quadrant is secured in brackets 73 by means of a bolt or pin l74. rllhe handle 7() is provided with an opening for the reception of a member 75, retained in engagement with the quadrant by means of a coil spring 76. The member 75 is employedto supply a slight amount of friction to prevent the control lever from being acciy dentallynioved from a given position. On the opposite side of the quadrant, the handle is shaped to form a saddle 77, carrying a pair of rollers 78, engaging the quadrant. to guide the handle and control lever.

rlhe exhaust valve is controlled by means ot a lever 79. The lever is provided with 'a pair of arms 80, forming a substantially tf-shaped member and these arms are provided with bearings 81 for the reception of pivot pins 82, mounted in the bracket 55 or other suitable support.' As shown, .the lever is disposed above the exhaust valve stem 39 in engagement therewith. The other end vof the lever is forked, providing a pair of arms 83 adapted to extend on opposite sides 'of the quadrant, as shown. A roller 84 is ried by the steering post casing.

cle is provided with the usual steering wheel 86, connected to the steering post 87. A

quadrant 88may` be mounted on the steer? `one direction causes the rollers 78 to be retained in engagement with the quadrant.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the control mechanism is in neutral position, or on dead center, the pivot pins 56, 57, and 58 being in alinement with each other, and in line with the direction of the force` placed on the control lever 59 by the spring 69. When l the control lever is moved along the quadsov rant, it rotates about the pin 58 as an axis, the quadrant being formed on ya circle'hav- `ing the pin 58 asa center. The force now applied to the control lever 59 tends .to

move thepin 58 downwardly, and is directly proportional tothe chord of the arc described by the movement of the control'lever fromu neutral position to the open position. hen the pin58 is moved downwardly, the float link 54 to which it is connected, moves about the pivot pin 5 6 as an axis,V lowering the pivot pin 57 and the valve stem and opening the balanced valves 29 and 30. This permits the fluid under pressure to pass from the storage tank 7 to the brake cylinder 12 Aand apply the brakes. The pressure' in the brake cylinder is also set up 1n the pressure chamber 33 of the valvel and transmitted to the diaphragm 44, tending to close the valve.` When the pressure in the brake Acylinderc'iand the pressure chamvber 34 becomes suflicient to offset the force ,exerted on the pin 58 by the spring 69, the

' varied and-the pressure applied to the @brakes may thus be regulated. y

When the pressure on the brakes is to be relieved, the valve control lever is moved` downwardly "a slight distancel below the neutral position, and the lower roller 7 8 in en agement withthe roller 84, moves the ex aust -valve lever 9 on its pivot Ato depress the exhaust valve stem 39 and open the exhaust valve 38. The downward movement is limited by means of the roller 84 engagin the quadrant. A

hen the lever is moved below the center line to open the exhaust valve, the

vspring 69 tends to lift pin 58 which will move the floating link upwardly on its pivot. valve stem when the exhaust valve is open, the upward mvement of the pin 58 and link 54 is limited b means of link 60.

It will be note that when the control Vlever has been moved to the desired posi.

tion.v to establish the proper pressure in the brake cylinder, it is unnecessary for the operator to exertiorce on the control lever to retain it in position and the vehicle may be left standing with the brakes applied.

It is to be understood that the form ot' my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferredexample of' the same, and that various changes in the To prevent undue tension on the,v

shape, size, and arrangement of parts may' be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of Ythe subjoined claims. y

claim: Y

1. A valve for fluid .pressure systems, comprising a valve chamber having an inlet `opening and an outlet opening, a valve seat arranged in said chamber, -a valve adapted to engage said valve seat, a valve stem secured thereto, a pressure chamber through which said valve stem'extends, said pressure chamber being arranged on the outlet side of the valve, a diaphragm mounted in said chamber and connected with said valve stem, said diaphragm tending to close the valve when a pressure exists in the pressure chamber, a control member for supplying a predetermined `force to said valve stem to open said valve, said control member being capable of instantaneous adjustment to secure a desired pressure and being'independent of .the force of gravity, whereby said valve may be mounted in any desired position, and means for exerting a constant force on said control member to retain it in an ad'usted position.

2. valve for fluid pressure systems. comprising a valve chamber' having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a valve seat arranged in said chamber, a valve adapted to engage said valve seat, a valve stem secured thereto, a pressure chamber through which said valve stem extends. said pressure chamber being arranged on the outlet side of the valve, a diaphragm mounted in saidchamber and connected with said valve stem, said diaphragm tending to close the s' 95 Having thus described my invention, I'.

valve when a pressure exists in the pressure chamber, a pivoted link engaging said valve stem to open the valve, a control meinber for supplying a predetermined torce to said link to open the valve, said control member being capable or instantaneous adjustment to secure a desired pressure, and

. means for exerting a constant torce on said lili ' supported at one end, and a control member i -valve When .a pressure exists in the pressure chamber, a pivoted link to which said valve stem is connected,' said valve stem being connected to said link intermediate the ends thereof, said link being pivotally secured' to the other end of said link to apply a force thereto, said control member being capable of instantaneous adjustment, and means for supplying a constant force to said l control member to retain it in an adjusted thereon, a link connected to the opposite end f position. l

4. In a fluid pressure control, a valve casing, a valve arranged therein, a valve stem ysecured thereto, and operating means ,cornprising a control lever, aspring engaging one end of said lever and exerting a Jforce thereon, a link connected to the opposite end of the control lever, said link being pivotally supported at its other end, and connected to said valve stem intermediate its..ends 'Whereby the force exerted on said link to open the valve will be proportionate to the angular position of the control lever, and ay diaphragm arranged on the outlet sideiof the valve and connecting with said valve stem, to automatically close the valve when the pressure on the outlet side is greater than the force applied by the spring 1n a-given position.

5. In a fluid pressure control, a valve casing, a valve arranged therein, a valve, stem secured thereto, and operating means comprising a control lever,` a spring engaging one end of said lever and exerting a force of the control lever, said link being pivotally supported at its other end,- and connected tol said valve stem intermediate its ends Whereby the force exerted on said link to open the valve will be proportionate to the angular position of the control lever, a diaphragm arranged on the outlet side of the valve and connecting with said valve stem, to ,automatically close the valve when the pressure on the outlet side greater than the :torce applied spring in a given position, and an valve actuated by said control lever to release the air from the outlet side or the i lve,

3. Vlin a duid pressure control, a valve casa main valve arranged therein, a valve stem secured to said valve, and control mechanism therefor, said control mechanism comprising a link pivotally supported at one end, said valve stem being connected to the link intermediate its ends, a control lever connected to the other end oit the link, means for supplying a force longitudinally of said control lever whereby the control lever vvill be in a neutral position when the link pivot and the connections are arranged in the same plane, and a force proportionate to the angular position of the control lever will be applied to the end of the link when the control lever is moved about the end of the link as a pivot, a quadrant on which said control lever operates, and a diaphragm arranged in the valve casing on the outlet side of the valve` and connecting vvith said valve stem' to close the valve When the pressure on the outlet side of the valve exceeds `a force applied bythe control lever. n y

7. In a fluid pressure control, a valve casing, a balanced valve arranged therein, a valve stem' secured to said valve, and control mechanism therefor, said control'mechaoli-the linkas a pivot, a quadrant on which r` said control lever operates, and a diaphragm arranged in the valvecasing on the voutlet side of the valve and connecting With the valve stem to close the valve When the pressure on the outlet side of the valve exceeds the force applied by the control lever. c

8. ln a Huid pressure control, a valve casing, a valve arranged therein, a valve stem secu-red thereto, and operating means comf prising a control lever, means for exerting a 'force on one end of said control lever, a link connected tothe opposite end of the control lever, said link being pivotally supported, said valve stem being connected to said link whereby the .force exerted on said link to open the valve Will be proportionate to the angular position of the control lever, and a diaphragm arranged on the outlet side of the valve and connecting With the comprising a pivoted link, said valve stem l0,

beingconnected thereto, a control lever lpivotally connected to said link, means forV applying a force longitudinally of said control lever whereby the control lever will be u in a neutral position when the link pivot kplane and a force proportionateto the angular position of the control leverwill be ap- ,plied tothe end'of the link when the conand the connections are arranged in the same trol lever is moved about the link as a pivot,

and a diaphragm :arranged inthe valve casing onthe outlet side of the valve and connecting the vsaid valve stem to close the valve vwhen the pressure on the'outlet'side Jof they valve exceeds the'force applied by the con@A I f trol lever.

10. In a fluid pressure control, a valve casing, a valve arranged therein, a valve stem secured thereto, an operating means comprising a control lever, a spring engaging Said lever and exerting a force thereon, a `pivotally supported link connected to said control lever, said 'link being connected to said valve stem, whereby the force exerted on said link to open the valve will be proportionate to the angularl position of the control lever, and the force` required to move said control' lever will be constant/and independent of the position of said control lever,

.and a diaphragm arranged on the outlet side of the valve and connecting with the valve stem .to automatically close the valve when the pressure on the outlet side is greater than the force applied by the spring in a given position.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD H. LOWNDES.

`- Witnesses:

ALICE LOWNDES,

Mrs. INEz W. LowNmis. 

